Teasing Annie: The Temptation Saga: Book Two Read Free Page B

and she had never had a thing for cowboys. Of course, growing up in New Jersey, she hadn’t seen a lot of cowboys. Gamblers? Yes. Drunks? Yes. Hit men? A few. But no cowboys.
    But a cowboy he was, and a remarkable specimen of the breed. His green western shirt was open at the collar, and a few black chest hairs peeked out. His sleeves were rolled up to his elbows and his forearms, dusted with more black hair, flexed with each shift. All that muscle and sinew. What would they feel like around her?
    Then there were his hands. Big and strong. And beautiful. The man had beautiful hands.
    “So you’re staying in the apartment above the vet clinic?” he said.
    She cleared her throat, giving herself time to answer without stuttering. “For now, anyway. I didn’t bring a lot of stuff from Jersey so I don’t need a lot of space.”
    “Is this a permanent move for you?” His voice was low and husky. Very sexy.
    “I’m not quite sure yet. But I like it here so far. I’m from a big glitzy town, so this is a nice change.”
    Dallas chuckled softly. “Bakersville’s a lot of things, but glitzy it ain’t.” He pulled his car into the alley behind the clinic. “I’ll walk you up.”
    “There’s no need,” Annie said. If she didn’t get away from him soon she feared she might throw herself into his sinewy arms.
    “Doc, there’s something you need to learn about us cowboys.” His western drawl crept up her neck and into her ears. “We’re gentlemen, and we always see a lady to her door.”
    “That’s silly. This isn’t a…date or anything.”
    “Doesn’t make a difference, Doc.” He stepped out of the car and came around and opened the door for her before she could object further. “Come on. I’ll see you up.”
    They walked in the back door of the clinic and climbed the stairs to the entrance to Annie’s apartment.
    “Th-Thank you for the ride home,” she said, fidgeting with her purse.
    “Aren’t you going to ask me in? To thank me properly?”
    “Thank you properly?” Her heart lurched. Surely he couldn’t be thinking…
    “Yeah. Coffee or a nightcap?”
    “Oh.” Heat crept up her neck. “I’m already thanking you by letting you eat dinner when Seraphina and I do our cooking together.”
    “All right, Doc,” he said, his voice terse. “I get the picture.”
    Geez, now he thinks I don’t like him . “I’m teasing,” she said quickly. “Of course you can come in. I’m afraid I don’t have coffee though. I can make a pot of tea. Well, herb tea.”
    “Herb tea, huh?” His drawl curved into a lazy half smile.
    “Don’t tell me. You hate herb tea.”
    “Probably as much as you hate tiramisu.”
    “That much, huh?” Annie forced out a laugh. “I haven’t been to the liquor store yet, so I’m afraid I don’t have anything else to offer you.”
    “Sure you do.”
    “Yeah? What might that be?”
    “Something sweet,” he said, “like this.” He lowered his head and brushed his lips lightly against hers.
    Annie’s knees buckled at the innocent kiss. His mouth had barely touched hers, and she could hardly stand.
    Dallas’s strong arms snaked around her waist and pulled her close, smashing her breasts against his hard chest. “Let’s try that again, Doc.” He leaned down to take her lips once more.
    Still gentle, he slanted his mouth over hers, outlining her lips with his tongue, nibbling across the upper then the lower. It was the most natural thing in the world to part her lips and urge him inside.
    No more gentleness. His tongue swept into her mouth with carnal passion. He licked her teeth, her gums, the inside of her cheeks, the roof of her mouth.
    Had she ever tasted anything quite so delicious? Chocolate. Cinnamon and cloves. And him. Dallas. God, he can kiss .
    He tore from her mouth and settled next to her ear, nipping the soft skin just below her lobe. “Come on, Doc,” he whispered, “you can do better than that.”
    “What?”
    “Kiss me,” he said. “Kiss